- The average home accumulates about 40 pounds of dust each year, and its presence may leave you feeling sneezy and wheezy.
- With our choice of the best duster, the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Extendable Duster, you might just breathe easier.
While I would like to say that the dust and cobwebs in my home are early Halloween decorations, that line doesn’t work most of the year. Dust just seems to accumulate at an extraordinary rate. That’s not surprising when you consider how dust originates.
Those 40 pounds of dust that settle in your home each year are a combination of pollen, human and pet dander, dead skin cells, dust mites and insect droppings, soil, food crumbs, and particulates in the air. The more people and pets in your home and the more often the doors and windows open, the more dust you’re going to have.
Even if you claim to love the patina of dust-covered surfaces, there are plenty of good reasons to remove the dust. When we breathe in dust particles, depending on the type of particulate, our respiratory tracts respond. Some particles are fairly benign and cause mild allergic reactions like sneezing and a runny nose. Other particles can trigger asthma that severely affects breathing.
It feels like I’ve been dusting since I could walk. And I must say that tools for dusting have improved since the days of using an old shirt. In addition to looking for the most effective, easiest to use, and the best value in products for myself and others, I’ve also realized that there are other steps you can take to lower the amount of dust in a home.
- Declutter: The less “stuff” you have in your home to accumulate dust, the less dust there will be.
- Clean from the top down: When you’re ready to clean, start at the top of the room and do the floors last so you can capture all of the dust that settles there. No need to dust twice.
- Wash bedding weekly: We spend hours and hours in a bed and within a week bedding accumulates a great deal of human and pet dander, dust mites, and dead skin. Washing is a simple way to get rid of the problem.
- Remove your shoes at the door: Around 60% of dust particles come the outside and removing shoes dramatically reduces the amount of dust in a home.
- Lower the humidity: Keeping interior humidity levels around 40% will reduce the number of moisture-loving dust mites.
- Change your air filters: Fresh filters in your HVAC system will trap more dust and keep your system running more efficiently.
- Bathe and groom pets: A clean animal sheds less dander and hair.
- Vacuum regularly: Keep floors clean with a good vacuum that has a HEPA filter to trap the smallest dust particles.
Even with diligent cleaning, there will still be dust, so it’s a good idea to buy a duster. We’ve done the research and testing to find the best dusters.
Here are the best dusters:
- OXO Good Grips Microfiber Extendable Duster
- Swiffer Heavy Duty Dusters with Extender Handle
- Norpro Pure Lambswool Duster
- OXO Good Grips Under Appliance Microfiber Duster
- Hiware Window Blind Cleaner Duster
The best overall
The OXO Good Grips Microfiber Extendable Duster traps dust easily, extends and adjusts to reach high surfaces, and can be washed for years of reuse.
As a woman who is both short in stature and always watching expenditures, the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Extendable Duster is my duster of choice. My favorite thing is that after dusting, I can remove the head and toss it in the washer so I can start each dusting session with a clean duster. The washable head means no additional expense and no excuses to put off cleaning because I'm out of disposable duster heads.
With a sturdy, but lightweight, handle with a comfortable grip, the duster can stretch from 27 to 54 inches. The duster head rotates 270 degrees and can be locked into place at multiple angles. Since the duster head has microfibers on each side to capture dust, you can simply switch the angle and continue dusting when one side is heavily soiled.
Microfiber is made from polyamide (nylon) and polyester and creates an electrostatic fabric that attracts dust. The dust is then trapped in the many, tiny fibers until you use laundry detergent and water to flush them away. Because of the way microfiber is manufactured, you may see lint or loose fibers at first on the duster. Just rinse the head under cold water and give it a good shake before drying. The lint will be gone.
To keep your duster in top-shape, avoid bleach that can damage fibers and fabric softeners and dryer sheets that coat the fibers and lower their ability to trap dust. I find that air-drying the head works best.
I just bought a second duster head so I can always have a clean duster at my fingertips.
Pros: Microfiber duster head traps and holds dust, machine-washable head, aluminum extender handle reaches from 27 to 54 inches, replacement heads available
Cons: Duster head will shed fibers unless washed first
The best disposable duster
With its 360-degree duster surface that has more fibers and an extendable handle, the Swiffer Heavy Duty Dusters with Extender Handle is a hard-working disposable duster.
When I want to use a disposable duster, I turn to Swiffer. I've tried every brand on the market and the Swiffer Heavy Duty Dusters with Extender Handle is the very best one I've found.
Because there are more electrostatic fibers on the duster head, I find the Swiffer Heavy Duty Duster picks up twice as much dust as other brands. The sturdy plastic extender handle expands from about 15 to 36 inches plus the 8-inch duster head. The head can be locked into four different angles to clean hard-to-reach surfaces.
This starter kit comes with one handle and 12 dusters. The disposable dusters are easy to find online and in many stores; however, a heavy-duty duster refill costs around $1.00 each.
I like Swiffer for dusting "knick-knacks" on mantels and shelves. The duster is flexible enough that I don't have to move each small item every time I want to capture the dust. I also use it in my car to reach those tight spaces in the corners between the windshield and dashboard and all the little nooks and crannies of air-vents.
Pros: Disposable, lightweight, fits into tight spots to trap dust, extendable handle reaches three feet, dusting head locks into place
Cons: Replacement dusters can become expensive
The best lambswool duster
The Norpro Pure Lambswool Duster acts as a natural magnet for dust, comes from a renewable source, and will last for years.
If you prefer a natural fiber duster, then lambswool is an excellent choice. Many man-made fibers were developed to mimic the characteristics of wool fibers. The qualities of wool fibers and the lanolin they contain make them a natural magnet for dust and amazingly strong.
Wool has an inner cortex that is elastic and resilient to damage meaning the fiber can be bent more than 20,000 times without breaking. The cortex is covered with the cuticle layer that is composed of hundreds of microscopic overlapping scales. The scales create tiny pockets that trap and hold dust particles. Finally, the scales are covered by a thin protective film called the epicuticle that makes the fibers resistant to abrasion on even the most delicate surfaces.
If you decide on a wool duster, look no further than the Norpro Pure Lambswool Duster. I was introduced to the Norpro line while in college and still have the duster I purchased then these many years later. The dusters are available in 12-, 24-, and 48-inch lengths. The head is around 12 inches long and seven inches wide when fluffed. The handle is wooden with a leather loop for hanging.
When you have finished a dusting session, simply step outside and spin the handle between your hands to release the dust. (Consider wearing a dust mask while you do to avoid breathing in the dust particles.) If the head becomes excessively soiled, it can be hand washed with cool water and a gentle detergent. Give the head a good spin to fluff the fibers and then allow the duster to air dry.
If you are ready to lessen your dependence on plastics and choose a natural fiber, Norpro Lambswool is an excellent choice.
Pros: Natural fibers, a renewable material source, picks up dust easily, reusable, lasts for many years
Cons: Handle is not extendable
The best for tight spaces
One glance under your kitchen and laundry room appliances and you'll know why you need the OXO Good Grips Under Appliance Microfiber Duster.
I like to think of myself as a good housekeeper. I clean often and there are no visible horrors when someone drops by. Note, that I said visible horrors. Because beneath the stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer, and even some furniture there lurks a dusty, dirty world.
After an embarrassing moment when the refrigerator had to be moved to retrieve some dropped jewelry, I discovered OXO Good Grips Under Appliance Microfiber Duster. It is the perfect dusting tool. I simply can't move some appliances and furniture during weekly cleaning, but a few swipes with the OXO Under Appliance Duster and I can feel satisfied that my house is cleaner.
You may say, "who cares" about the hidden dust. Unfortunately, it can be a breeding ground for insects and can even hinder the proper operation of an appliance. Dust and lint under a refrigerator can clog the circulating fan and cause it to overheat and fail. With a clothes dryer, excessive lint can cause a fire, especially with gas dryers. It's not all a vanity thing.
The OXO Under Appliance Duster has a microfiber head that is removable for easy cleaning in the washer. The duster head flexes so it can conform to tight spaces and the 33.5-inch length will reach the back of most deep appliances, cabinets, and furniture. The duster head can be removed and washed for reuse.
This is my go-to duster for tight spots.
Pros: Slim profile and flexible handle fit under appliances and in tight spaces, the duster head is removable for washing, reusable
Cons: Duster head can shed if not washed before the first use
The best for window blinds
If you want to remove dust from window blinds and shutters more quickly, the Hiware Window Blind Cleaner Duster is for you.
I have white wooden blinds on every window in my home. They are great for privacy and to shut out the heat of the sun but they do love dust. They must love it because it is always there. I've tried other types of dusters to get rid of the dust that clings to both sides of each slat but just when I thought I had all the dust removed, I'd see it clinging to a slat I missed. Then I found Hiware Window Blind Cleaner Duster.
This ingenious little contraption has a study 3-pronged plastic handle and microfiber "gloves" that slip over the prongs. I can dust the top and bottoms of blinds at the same time! To get the best results, give the flexible handle a little squeeze to get good contact with the slat surfaces.
Since there are five microfiber cloths included, when one gets soiled I can just slip on a fresh one and keep dusting. At the end of the job, all the cloths go in the washer and I can start again tomorrow.
I've found even more uses for this duster in my car for air vents, for bathroom fan vents, and HVAC vents. Where has this been all my life?
Pros: Cleans window blinds, indoor shutters, and air vents thoroughly, comes with five duster heads, washable, reusable, can be used with cleaning solution if needed
Cons: Microfiber can shed if not rinsed before first use
Check out our other great cleaning guides
The best glass cleaners
There's nothing worse than a dirty window, cloudy mirror, or dirt-spattered windshield. Everyone needs a good glass cleaner to keep those surfaces clean. We used more than a dozen different glass cleaners to find the best ones, including natural glass cleaners, ammonia-based cleaners, and cleaners for hard-water stains.
The best floor cleaners
Taking care of hard surface floors is a never-ending job. Sweeping or vacuuming can capture much of the loose dirt and hair, but eventually, some of the mess will stick and the floor is going to need to be cleaned with a mop and a good cleaner. These are the best floor cleaners.
The best drain cleaners
Most of us take plumbing systems for granted until there is a problem. Drain care should really be something we attend to every day. While we can't control the rate a pipe joint disintegrates, we can help prevent clogs. These are the best drain cleaners for keeping your pipes in top shape.
The best disinfecting cleaners
The world can be a germy place and as we interact with others, we share bacteria. Some bacteria are actually good for our body systems but other, viral strains like measles, flu, and colds can be dangerous. To help combat against them, these are the best products available that do a great job of killing bacteria.
The best robot vacuums
A high-quality robot vacuum is easy to schedule, picks up most debris from an array of surfaces, and runs quietly while going about its work. Our guide features vacuums that performed well in our tests, have useful features that justify their price, and are designed to make cleaning your floors as seamless as possible. These are our top picks for the best robot vacuums.